The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 13/From Frances Arabella Kelly to Jonathan Swift - 1

by Frances Arabella Kelly

FROM MISS KELLY.

JARVIS STREET, SIX O'CLOCK, FRIDAY

I DANCED so long last night, that I have not been able till this moment to thank you for the goodness you showed me this morning. Be assured the favours you bestow on me are received with the greatest pleasure, and I only am sorry that it is not in my power to convince you that no body can set a higher value on your friendship than I do.

Indeed I have an implicit faith in your medicine; for if only despising the poets can hinder its proving effectual, I must certainly receive from it all the benefit I desire; for really I am quite of the other side, and am a sincere admirer of all the good poets; but am more particularly attached to the best. What I shall do to convince you of the truth of this I cannot determine: but surely the care I shall always take to mend upon your reproofs, will, in time, let you know that nobody can desire more sincerely to please you than, sir, your most obliged and most faithful humble servant,

F. A. KELLY.

I am half asleep, so do not be angry at these blots.

Being out of cash at present, I send you my note, which I hope will satisfy you.

I acknowledge to be indebted to the reverend doctor Swift, dean of St. Patrick's, the sum of 0l.1s.1½d. per value received, this 2d day of February 1732-3.

FRANCES ARABELLA KELLY^[1].

1. This promissory note is pinned to the letter. It certainly is an answer to some whim or other of the doctor's.